InVEST Awards Scholarship to San Diego Resident

InVEST, an education program that strengthens the insurance industry by assembling a diverse group of high school and community college students and shaping them into insurance professionals and informed consumers, recently awarded San Diego, Calif. resident Andrea Dixon a $5,000 scholarship.

This year, InVEST awarded $30,000 in scholarships to a select group of graduates who demonstrated how InVEST provided them with a school-to-career program that inspired them to pursue higher education with an emphasis on insurance. The scholarships are funded through an annual silent auction held in conjunction with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s annual Big “I” Convention.

“I know that all our past, present and future InVEST students have or will benefit from such an amazing course,” said InVEST Chairman Jim Armitage. “Through the months and years following Andrea’s graduation, I have the utmost confidence she’ll be one of our future insurance industry leaders.”

Dixon attended Grossmont Community College in El Cajon, Calif., and participated in its InVEST program taught by local independent agent Bob Captain. To earn consideration for the award, Dixon submitted a written essay explaining how her education plans were influenced by InVEST and the benefits she received from the program. Dixon was the only community college student to receive an InVEST scholarship this year.

“The one-semester InVEST class, including a class in basic computer skills, offered me a good start on an education in the insurance industry,” Dixon said. “My skills have allowed me to work in an entry-level position and will eventually help me make my way up to becoming, for example, an account executive at an insurance agency.

“Before I knew about the InVEST program, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she added. “I was asking myself, ‘Where do I go?’ After just one semester of the InVEST course, I thought to myself, ‘This is it.'” She recently landed two part-time jobs in the insurance industry.

Dixon says she’s excited about her future in the industry and currently is signing up for more insurance-related courses. To help with course payments, half of Dixon’s $5,000 scholarship will go towards books and tuition for her continuing education. She also noted the other half went to new business attire and personal expenses.

“The program is absolutely wonderful. It has changed many, many lives-like mine,” Dixon said.

Currently, there are more than 235 InVEST classes operating nationwide. The program enjoys the support of a growing family of more than 30 insurance carriers, 450 agencies and 1,750 volunteers, all dedicated to bringing new and diverse talent into the insurance industry.

Founded in 1970 and based in Alexandria, Va., InVEST is an education program that strengthens the insurance industry by developing a large pool of qualified recruits. The program annually prepares more than 6,000 students for insurance-related careers with a hands-on curriculum taught in high schools and community colleges. For more information about making a contribution to help support the program or starting an InVEST program, visit www.InVESTprogram.org or call Sandra Skipper, InVEST program manager, at (703) 706-5437.